Normally the most reticent of the conservative-minded NFL GMs when it comes to first-wave free agency, Thompson shockingly plunked down an offer worth up to $30 million over three years in front of Peppers.

It proved irresistible. Peppers signed it.

Thompson almost never dips into the free agency pool in the first few days, because that’s when teams overpay and, regardless, often don’t get their money’s worth.

At the scouting combine last month, Thompson reiterated his famously non-flashy, frugal philosophy: for him, the free-agency period means re-signing your own free agents, not signing someone else’s.

To Thompson’s credit, he has a successful track record in that regard, and was so again this week. He locked up defensive end/outside linebacker Mike Neal, nose tackle B.J. Raji and cornerback Sam Shields. Crucial re-signings.

But safety M.D. Jennings got away (to Chicago), as did centre Evan Dietrich-Smith (Tampa Bay). And backup running back James Starks was set to visit Pittsburgh this weekend. Receiver James Jones, tight end Jermichael Finley and fullback John Kuhn also remain unsigned.

“As best we can, we’d like to have our guys back,” Thompson said at the combine.

The last time Thompson made a big-splash free-agent signing was in 2006 when he lured cornerback Charles Woodson to Green Bay.

Money wasn’t all that factored into Peppers’ decision to relocate up the coast of Lake Michigan. Some guy named Aaron Rodgers did too.

“The teams that have the good quarterbacks are the teams that win,” Peppers told Packers.com. “I’m looking forward to playing with Aaron. As much as I disliked chasing him around, I’m excited to join him.”

Peppers, 34, has posted jaw-dropping numbers in 12 NFL seasons: 118½ sacks, 39 forced fumbles and nine interceptions. That’s why he was named to the Pro Bowl eight times as a Carolina Panther and Chicago Bear.

But Peppers’ production dropped off significantly last season, as he racked up only 7½ sacks. Critics charged that he took a lot of plays off. The Bears released him Tuesday, voiding the final two years of a six-year, $92-million deal he signed in 2010.

Peppers said “the most important thing” on his mind as he becomes a Green Bay Packer is to win a Super Bowl.

“I haven’t won a championship. That’s where my focus is," he said. "I feel like the team is set up to make a run, and I feel I can help get it there.”

Peppers told Packers.com to ask head coach Mike McCarthy how he’ll be utilized.

As a rush linebacker in their 3-4 defence? As an outside linebacker? Or as a defensive end in a new base 4-3?

“It’s going to be something different,” Peppers promised.

EDELMAN STAYS PUT

More good news for New England Patriots fans. Wide receiver Julian Edelman has reportedly chosen to re-sign with the Pats, despite taking a visit to San Francisco a couple of days ago. Terms were not immediately reported.

Following Wes Welker's departure, Edelman became Tom Brady’s favourite receiver this past season. He caught 105 passes for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns.

With Danny Amendola and tight end Rob Gronkowski still under contract, and backup tight end Michael Hoomanawanui re-signing, Brady won’t have the issue in 2014 he had this past season: namely, familiarizing himself with an overhauled receiving corps.

TATE A BROWN

Ben Tate, regarded in some corners as the best available free-agent running back this year, signed Saturday with the Cleveland Browns. The NFL Network said it’s a two-year deal worth up to $7 million.

Tate had backed up Arian Foster in Houston for three seasons before getting most of the snaps in 2013 with Foster sidelined by injury.

Tate’s contract is all the more proof that running backs now rank among the lowest player commodities in the NFL. For comparison’s sake, the total value of Tate’s new contract equates to one-fourth of merely the guarantee in free safety Jairus Byrd’s new six-year, $54-million deal with the Saints.

BILLS STILL BUSY

The Buffalo Bills signed two more free agents on Saturday, middle linebacker Brandon Spikes and running back Anthony Dixon.

Spikes played his first four NFL seasons with the rival New England Patriots. His acquisition cements the Bills’ intention to relocate star linebacker Kiko Alonso to the outside.

Spikes signed only a one-year deal, for up to $3.5 million. His linebackers coach in New England was Pepper Johnson, now the Bills’ defensive line coach.

Dixon was a backup pounder with the San Francisco 49ers. He’ll presumably be used as a short-yardage back and blocker.

Starting tight end Zach Miller agreed to restructure his contract with the Seahawks … Defensive end Antonio Smith left Houston and signed with Oakland … A Carolina Panthers free agent is actually staying put. Safety Roman Harper re-signed for $4.5 million over two years, ESPN reported … Guard Charlie Johnson has re-signed with the Vikings, ESPN reported … Among free-agent quarterbacks, Oakland is eyeing Josh Freeman and, if released, Houston’s Matt Schaub, per the NFL Network.